TPCBC MINISTRY UPDATES

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TPCBC Ministry Updates May 17, 2020

His Grace Is Sufficient!

​“Safe!,” the umpire signals with arms out stretched like a bird about to take flight. And the home team fills the stadium with shouts of jubilation! We’ve seen it. We’ve heard it. We’ve done it. For some of us, we’ve even caused it. Well, God’s caused it again. Here we come to the close of another week and the majority of us can holler, “Safe!” The 18th century clergyman, John Newton penned it this way, “Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. ‘Twas grace that brought me safe thus far; and grace will lead me home.” Tomorrow morning, we get to raise the roofs together because God kept us. Despite seen and unseen dangers, trials, troubles and temptations, He kept us. In spite of our faults and failures, God kept us.

Join me at 7:45 a.m. and/or 11:00 a.m. prepared to stretch out your hands and declare before the Lord: “Safe!” “Sealed!” “Sheltered!” “Satisfied!” … and the list goes on. While some Marylanders will begin regathering for worship in the morning, we will continue to stay the present course, until the Lord has given us clear marching orders. Indoor and outdoor services planned for 31 Norwood Road will be publicized in advance of the dates scheduled. Since Sunday, May 31st is Pentecost Sunday, it would be great if we could plan that 11:00 a.m. service to be outdoors. We will let you know for sure.

As the “scattered” Church prepares to reconvene as the “gathered” Church, there is much for our “Transition Team” to discuss, discover, discern, decide and disseminate to you. The team includes representation from the congregation-at-large and the following ministries: the Diaconate (men and women), Trustees, Kid Connections, Youth Connections, Young Adults (L.I.T.), Seniors, Christian Education, Community Engagement (formerly Social Action), Ministers, Media, Worship (Music, Ushers, Nurses, Security), Wellness, Facilities, Administration, and Communications. Your prayers are critical for us to enjoy a favorable process and product. I know we can count on you!!

Just a few reminders:

the memorization of Ephesians by December 31st still is our aim. Hide in your heart the verses assigned to your Tribal Family and help us emerge triumphant on that glorious day.

Continue to pray for one another, especially those whose work exposes them to higher risk during this environment of COVID-19.

Similarly, those grieving the loss of loved ones and those managing illness continue to benefit from our prayers.

As you and many other congregants continue to prove faithful in the area of financial stewardship, for which we are extremely grateful and God is glorified, remember that we are maintaining our quest for Mortgage Liquidation by the end of the year.

Finally, “Corona Valley” has been a tough place for people all over the world. It’s been a dry, desert place. When the children of Israel came, “Straight Outta Egypt,” they found themselves in a difficult place. There was no drinkable water. They complained to Moses. He appealed to God for assistance. God used that moment as an opportunity to establish what The Voice* calls “an important principle” (Ex. 15:25). “If you will listen closely to My voice – the voice of your God – and do what is right in My eyes, pay attention to My instructions, and keep all of My laws; then I will not bring on you any of the plagues that I did on the Egyptians, for I am the Eternal, your Healer” (v. 26).

But, what comes next I find really exciting. “Then they traveled on to an oasis called Elim, where," -"now get this" - “there were 12 freshwater springs and 70 palm trees with dates. They set up camp there next to the waters” (v. 27). If we ask Him and trust Him, God will provide for us, “an oasis in the desert!” They thought they were “out;” but, the Eternal God stretched out His arms, signaling, as He did with the Passover and at the Red Sea, “… Safe!” Don’t save your shout for tomorrow. You might as well get it in now.Listen, have a great night of rest and restoration. Until morning, I remain …

His Servant and yours,

Haywood A. Robinson, IIILead Servant

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TPCBC Ministry Updates May 2, 2020

His Grace Is Sufficient!

For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies,For the love which from our birth over and around us lies.Christ, our Lord, to you we raise this, our hymn of grateful praise.(Folliott S. Pierpoint)

These wonderful lyrics, penned nearly two hundred years ago, remind us of the innumerable sources from which worship can be sparked within our hearts, toward our God and Savior. Truly, the earth is the Lord’s and its fullness! Tomorrow, we plan to assemble under the canopy of those glorious skies, to enjoy the surrounding beauty and extol the endearing and enduring love of God, as best displayed in the sacrifice of His dear Son for us.

We are happy to announce that beginning Wednesday, May 6, 2020, we will serve as a food distribution site for Nourish Now (www.nourishnow.org) to provide weekly pre-boxed meals for individuals and families of four. Our Community Engagement Ministry, under the leadership of Deaconess Jackie Dennard, SocialAction@tpcbc.org, is coordinating this partnership. Please contact her or visit the website for more information.

While many are at home practicing social distancing, many of our family and friends are on the front lines of the battle against COVID -19. We are requesting photos of congregation members, friends, and loved ones working through the coronavirus pandemic. Be sure to include health care workers, grocery store clerks, city and town services employees, police officers, cleaners, caretakers, and anyone serving people. We want to highlight them by posting an extraordinary pictorial collage as a special thank you! Send pictures[Jpeg, Gif only], words of thanks[20 words or less], and questions to Communications@tpcbc.orgno later than Thursday, May 7, 2020.

Please continue to check our website for updates regarding opportunities to serve, along with opportunities to study and fellowship together. Looking forward to meeting you around His Table in the morning, I remain …

His Servant and yours,

Haywood A. Robinson, IIIPastor​

TPCBC Ministry Updates April 24, 2020

His Grace Is Sufficient!

Are you discovering that this truth (2 Corinthians 12:9) applies to your current circumstances? It is by the grace of God that we are who we are, namely His people, and that we can do what He says to do. God has been faithful to us! So, by His grace, we declare that in the days ahead we will do greater works than in the past.

On Sunday, we plan once again to stream our 7:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. worship services LIVE. Until then, please join us in prayer that the Lord will show forth His glory in a life-transforming way within each and every dwelling where Christ is exalted.

Our Family Life Ministry is requesting that we remember the following persons in prayer:

Bereavement:

Sister Sheila Merritt in the passing of her husband, James.

Sister Vivian Malloy in the passing of their cousin, Mr. Sylvester Jenkins.

Sister Sherece Tolbert in the passing of her father, Kevin E. Vaughn, AND her aunt, Patricia Tolbert, due to COVID-19.

Deaconess Ardell Bell and Brother Will Bell in the passing of Mr. Joseph Cooper, the husband of Deaconess Ardell’s sister-in-law, Eleanor Cooper.

Sister Yvonne Wynn in the passing of her father-in-law, Mr. William Andrew Wynn; her aunt, Ms. Patsie Craig; AND her sister-in-law’s niece, Ms. Danielle Melton.

Sister Cynthia Bolton in the passing of aunt, Ms. Maggie Davis, due to COVID-19.

Sister Sharon Brown in the passing of her aunt, Ms. Mae Francis Brown, AND her niece and nephew, Ms. Maria Brown and Mr. Louis Thomas, due to COVID-19.

Illness:

Sister Tonya Stewart’s mother, Ms. Jessie Stewart.

Deaconess Cheryl Bridges’ mother, Sister Rosa Latney.

SisterAbigail Duchatelier-Jeudy.

Corporate Bible Study:

Tuesday Night Bible Study (for adults) will resume via ZOOM videoconference on April 28th from 7:40 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., when we plan to launch a study of The Red Sea Rules, with Pastor Robinson as the lead instructor. This in-depth study of Exodus 14 will offer ten proven strategies for facing and overcoming the enormous challenges that exist right now, as well as those that emerge in the future. The study will remind us that even in the midst of seemingly impossible situations--illness, marital strife, financial problems, or whatever obstacles Satan places in our path—God has a way to deliver us through it. Although The Bible will be our primary textbook, Robert Morgan’s The Red Sea Rules is a highly recommended as a resource. The book is available immediately in digital (or electronic) format from the following sources at a cost of $1.99:

We are preparing to launch this ZOOM-based network on May 1st. The Network is being designed to include a wide range of opportunities for individual, family, and congregation-wide celebration, communication, and collaboration, including live and pre-recorded classes, meetings, special activities, and fellowship opportunities. As we gain experience with the Network, we expect to expand our capacity to share the love of Jesus with the community, the nation, and the world. An orientation session for persons who will host and/or identify content for ZOOM sessions is being scheduled for Monday, April 27th at 7:00 p.m.

Prayer:

We are making plans to pray more as a congregation. Besides implementing a 24-hour prayer schedule (to be addressed in a future update), we plan to begin “prayer walking” on the TPCBC campus hourly between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. daily starting on Monday, April 27th. You are invited to come to pray as you walk once through the campus. This might take approximately 15 minutes. As many as ten persons may be engaged in prayer walking during any given hour; and all should wear masks and maintain physical distancing. To help us adhere to a 10-person per hour guideline, we ask you to sign up in advance for a time to prayer walk. Just click on the following link and enter your contact information in the prayer-walk schedule: Prayer WalkIf you have any questions as you sign up online, please contact Sister Sheri Montgomery at smontgomery@tpcbc.org.